elegant Recipes
51 delicious elegant recipes from around the world
Smørrebrød (Danish Open-Faced Sandwiches)
Smørrebrød are a beloved Danish classic, featuring thick slices of dense rye bread generously buttered and elaborately topped with a variety of ingredients. These open-faced sandwiches are not just a meal but a work of art, typically enjoyed with a knife and fork.
Soufflé au Fromage
A classic French cheese soufflé, renowned for its impossibly light and airy texture. This recipe is a true test of technique, resulting in a majestically rising cloud of cheesy delight.
Soufflé au Grand Marnier
An exquisite, light-as-air French dessert soufflé infused with the warm citrus notes of Grand Marnier. This elegant dish is a showstopper, perfect for a sophisticated finale to any meal.
Toast Skagen
An elegant and classic Swedish appetizer featuring creamy shrimp salad piled high on toasted bread, often garnished with roe and fresh dill.
Vol-au-Vent
Vol-au-vent are delicate, hollow puff pastry cases, traditionally filled with a rich and creamy mixture. This recipe features tender chicken and earthy mushrooms in a velvety sauce, making for an elegant appetizer or light main course perfect for special occasions.
Zrazy (Polish Beef Roulades)
Elegant Polish beef roulades, tender strips of beef rolled around a savory filling of pickles and bacon, then slow-braised to perfection in a rich gravy. Traditionally served with buckwheat kasha.
Tachin
Persian rice cake - saffron rice baked with chicken or lamb. All-over crispy tahdig.
Bademjan Shekam Por
Persian stuffed eggplant - eggplant with meat, walnut, pomegranate. Elegant dish.
Bademjan Shekam Por (Persian Stuffed Eggplant)
An elegant and flavorful Persian dish featuring tender eggplants stuffed with a savory mixture of ground lamb, toasted walnuts, and a tangy pomegranate sauce. This dish offers a delightful balance of sweet, sour, and savory notes.
Bai Qie Ji (Cantonese White Cut Chicken)
A classic Cantonese dish, Bai Qie Ji, or White Cut Chicken, celebrates the pure, delicate flavor of chicken. The bird is gently poached to tender perfection, then served with a vibrant and aromatic ginger-scallion oil. This recipe focuses on simple techniques to highlight the natural taste of high-quality chicken.
Chawanmushi (Japanese Savory Egg Custard)
A delicate and silky steamed egg custard, traditionally served as an elegant appetizer or side dish. This version features tender shrimp and chicken, with the option of ginkgo nuts for an authentic touch.
Chè Hạt Sen (Vietnamese Lotus Seed Sweet Soup)
A delicate and elegant Vietnamese dessert soup featuring tender lotus seeds simmered in a clear, lightly sweetened syrup with the subtle fruitiness of longan and the fragrant aroma of pandan leaves. This chè is perfect served warm or chilled.
Foi Thong (Thai Golden Threads)
Foi Thong, meaning 'golden threads' in Thai, is an exquisite dessert with Portuguese origins, adapted into Thai royal cuisine. It consists of delicate strands of sweetened egg yolk, simmered in a fragrant sugar syrup, creating a beautiful and delicious treat.
Hor Mok Pla (Thai Steamed Fish Curry Custard)
An elegant and flavorful Thai steamed fish curry custard, also known as a fish mousse, traditionally steamed in individual banana leaf cups. The delicate texture and aromatic spices make it a delightful appetizer or light main course.
Khao Neow Dam Sang Kaya (Thai Black Sticky Rice with Coconut Custard)
An elegant and traditional Thai dessert featuring chewy, fragrant black glutinous rice topped with a rich, silky coconut-egg custard. The deep purple hue of the rice contrasts beautifully with the golden custard.
Nigiri Sushi
Hand-formed sushi rice topped with pristine slices of raw fish. This classic Japanese preparation requires precision and fresh ingredients for an elegant and technically demanding result.
Qing Zheng Yu (Cantonese Steamed Fish)
A classic Cantonese dish where a whole fish is delicately steamed to perfection, infused with the aromatic flavors of ginger and scallions, and finished with a dramatic pour of sizzling hot oil.
Sangkhaya (Thai Coconut Custard)
A classic Thai dessert featuring a rich, silky coconut custard, traditionally steamed inside a small pumpkin or coconut shell. This elegant dessert is subtly sweet and fragrant with pandan.
Sashimi
Pristine, raw fish sliced and served simply, showcasing the purest form of Japanese cuisine. This dish emphasizes the quality and freshness of the seafood.
Súp Cua (Vietnamese Crab and Corn Soup)
A delicate and comforting Vietnamese crab and corn soup, featuring a silky egg-drop broth studded with sweet corn kernels and tender crab meat. This elegant soup is perfect as a starter or a light meal.
Tachin (Persian Saffron Rice Cake)
A visually stunning and incredibly flavorful Persian rice cake, Tachin features layers of fragrant saffron-infused rice baked with tender chicken and a crispy, golden tahdig (crust) at the bottom. It's a showstopper for any occasion.
Causa Limeña
Causa Limeña is an elegant and flavorful Peruvian layered potato terrine. It features a vibrant yellow potato base seasoned with lime juice and ají amarillo, layered with a creamy filling, often chicken or tuna salad, and garnished with avocado, hard-boiled eggs, and olives. This dish is perfect as an appetizer or a light main course.
Tiradito
Tiradito is an elegant Peruvian sashimi-style dish, featuring thinly sliced raw fish bathed in a vibrant, spicy ají amarillo sauce. It's a beautiful example of Nikkei (Japanese-Peruvian) cuisine, emphasizing fresh ingredients and bright flavors.
Kaab el Ghzal (Moroccan Gazelle Horns)
Delicate, crescent-shaped pastries filled with a fragrant almond paste, a classic Moroccan sweet treat often served during celebrations and special occasions. The name translates to 'gazelle horns' due to their distinctive shape.